Cristiano Ronaldo Closing In On World Cup Record After Being Named In Portugal Squad
Cristiano Ronaldo is set to become only the fourth footballer ever to play in five different World Cups.
The 37-year-old Manchester United forward was named in Portugal's 26-man squad for Qatar 2022 on Thursday.
To date, only Germany legend Lothar Matthaus and former Mexico stars Antonio Carbajal and Rafael Marquez have played at five World Cups.
Ronaldo is almost certain to join that list and highly likely to break another record outright.
No player has yet scored at more than four World Cups but Ronaldo could become the first.
Ronaldo - like Pele, Uwe Seeler and Miroslav Klose - has scored at four World Cups.
He scored just one goal in each of his first three tournaments - in 2006, 2010 and 2014 - before netting four times at Russia 2018.
Portugal will compete in Group H in Qatar along with Ghana, Uruguay and South Korea.
Cristiano Ronaldo pictured celebrating a goal at the 2018 World Cup
IMAGO/ULMER Pressebildagentur
Portugal's World Cup Squad
Ronaldo was one of 10 Premier League players named in Portugal's 26-man squad.
He will be joined in Qatar by United teammates Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot, while Manchester City stars Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias and Joao Cancelo are also heading to the tournament.
But Liverpool forward Diogo Jota was not named in the squad due to a calf injury.
| Portugal's World Cup Squad For Qatar 2022 |
|---|
Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (Porto), Rui Patricio (AS Roma), Jose Sa (Wolverhampton Wanderers) |
Defenders: Joao Cancelo (Manchester City), Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Ruben Dias (Manchester City), Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund), Nuno Mendes (Paris St-Germain), Pepe (Porto), Danilo Pereira (Paris St-Germain), Antonio Silva (Benfica) |
Midfielders: William Carvalho (Real Betis), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Joao Mario (Benfica), Ruben Neves (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Matheus Nunes (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Otavio (Porto), Joao Palhinha (Fulham), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Vitinha (Paris St-Germain) |
Forwards: Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid), Ricardo Horta (SC Braga), Rafael Leao (AC Milan), Goncalo Ramos (Benfica), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), Andre Silva (RB Leipzig) |
